Vallas was CEO of Chicago Public Schools from 1995 to 2001 and served as city budget director under former Mayor Richard M. Daley. More recently, he worked as an unpaid consultant to the Fraternal Order of Police, the union for rank-and-file Chicago Police Department member.

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He ran for mayor in 2019, losing to Lightfoot. He also ran as a Democratic candidate for Illinois lieutenant governor in 2014, on the ticket with incumbent Gov. Pat Quinn, when they lost to Bruce Rauner.

Though the mayor herself has not yet formally announced her re-election bid, she’s accelerated her fundraising efforts and hired new campaign staff. Last week Lightfoot gave her strongest indication yet that she’ll announce her bid for a new term in early June.

Already in the mayor’s race:

• Illinois Rep. Kam Buckner, a Chicago Democrat who announced his bid earlier this month;
• Ald. Ray Lopez, 15th, who got in the race in April; and
• Willie Wilson, who also declared in April 11 that he’ll seek a rematch.

Chicago’s municipal elections will be held Feb. 28, 2023.

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